Valencia, champion of Scotland
Born in Alzira, Enrique Castillo settled in Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, in 2014, earning a primary school teacher degree from the Catholic University of Valencia. He landed a job at a public school thanks to his mastery of English, his own profession, and his dedication to the most advanced pedagogy. He brought with him his love for the country of Valencia, as a member of the Alzira club, where he emerged as a good Rascal player. He learned about the sport thanks to Daniel Martos, a college professor who loves Jock de Pelota. And in Scotland discover the game of handball, which they call Fives and which is similar to our game of Frares, which is very similar to the game of Argentine Manetho, to Irish four-wall handball and the Valencia chariot. The style of the Valencian pelotaris strikes, including bounces, is dominated by the British pelotaris. The United Kingdom, through England, participates in the international tournaments organized by the CIJB and stands out in a special way in the One Wall method because it includes high-level players.
Enrique Castillo has been involved in the Scottish internationals for several years. This is the most famous competition organized in the most prestigious Scottish schools: Fettes College, the same competition in which former British Prime Minister Tony Blair studied. Last weekend, the Pelota player who was born and trained on the island won the pairs title with Britain’s Oscar McIntyre. A feat he was looking for in 2018, reaching the semi-finals and in 2019. Now, after the pandemic and things are back to normal, he can finally lift the prestigious trophy since it has been disputed since 1950.
Castillo has achieved status among the specialist elite, organized by RFVA, the foundation that builds the sport across the UK: “Sports culture between the Anglo-Saxon and Latin worlds varies greatly. Here there are no bureaucracies, it is about playing and competing freely but they respect their traditional competitions. In the Caledonian Club, we gather together to eat and play, there are no hierarchical structures, everything is simple within the adherence to tradition … ».
Enrique Castillo could become the link that unites the Valencian pilot with the Scottish pilot, bringing together two peoples for a distinct identity through sport. “Before the pandemic we had a scheduled exchange between the Alzira clubs and the Caledonian club. Now that everything is back to normal, we will return to it. That the youth of Valencia know the game of fives and the Scots Pelota Valenciana ». The champion, in addition to proudly raising his trophy, is thinking of strengthening the core values of the game the ball.
“Hardcore web nerd. Twitteraholic. Analyst. Reader. Coffee guru. Travel ninja. Amateur troublemaker. Zombie geek.”
